Our collection is of international significance, not least because it concerns Britain’s global history. As the leader of the archives sector in England, a government archive, a research archive, and as a national archive with a global reputation, it is right that we play an appropriate and meaningful part in these debates. Grounded in our mission and statutory obligations, this thinking also sits in the context of wider professional debates around the role of the archive and the archivist. What is selected and why, how we describe our collections and making them discoverable and available is critical to becoming genuinely inclusive. Thinking in this way helps expand our reach and profile through our audience-focussed activities, our research programmes and practice, working with others to better serve our audiences in ways we cannot do alone. Looking at things from others viewpoints allows us to see what prevents individuals engaging with us, or having access – and to do something about it. We believe that everyone has a right to access what we hold at The National Archives and to experience us through what we do. By doing so, we will also set a stronger example and influence change across the archives sector. We have set ourselves the challenge of becoming more representative of the people we serve and taking proactive steps to get there: across qualification, recruitment, retention and workplace culture. We know that the Inclusive Archive is not just what we do, but who we are. Our areas of focus Workforce – who we are
We will need to listen, understand – and learn – as we strive to make real the Inclusive Archive. We will work more closely with partners and friends than ever before, within and outside archives, other cultural heritage organisations and bodies, and representative groups and communities. We know that we cannot become the Inclusive Archive alone. This includes being self-aware and transparent about where we take the lead, and where we can lead by example. We are dedicated to this commitment, knowing that it requires rigorous, honest self-examination and increased openness to challenge from within and outside of our organisation. With a national and global leadership role, our decisions to make the necessary changes will have an impact and influence beyond just us.īecoming the Inclusive Archive is at the heart of everything The National Archives wants to do over the next decade.
An inclusive archive is available for every person we serve, enriched by the diverse and talented individuals who work with and for archives of all kinds.Īs the living, growing and trusted home of our nation’s stories, our obligation is to be an archive for everyone, because archives are about everyone – past, present and future.
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